Introduction
Ancient Egypt was one of the first complex and civilized societies in the history of humanity. The people built unique monuments, such as the Great Pyramids, Abu Simbel, and the temples in Karnak, leaving numerous mysteries for modern researchers. The archeological discoveries of the past allowed scientists to acquire a limited understanding of ancient Egypt’s religion, science, political system, and economy.
At the same time, many significant issues in Egyptology attract attention and require additional research. For instance, the role of women and their place in the hierarchy of complex social relations is one of the disputable topics. Being considered one of the typically patriarchal societies, ancient Egypt was ruled by male Pharaohs. However, the reign of Hatshepsut, one of the most potent and outstanding Egyptian women, contributes to a better understanding of gender and the role of women in the state.
Becoming a Pharaoh
Hatshepsut is one of the brightest representatives of the Eighteenth Dynasty. She ruled from 1478 BC to 1458 BC, meaning she remained pharaoh more than any other woman. Initially, she was the wife of Thutmose II, her half-brother, whom she married at 15. It means that Hatshepsut did not plan to be the state’s ruler; however, after her husband’s death, she became a regent and a co-ruler of Thutmose III, her son.
At the same time, researchers assume that Hatshepsut acquired power in 1473 BC under the title ‘pharaoh,’ which was previously held by only five women in ancient Egypt. The problem of acquiring this title was linked to the dominant religious and social norms in the country. According to the beliefs, only males could be pharaohs, meaning Hatshepsut had to legitimize her rule. Being God’s Wife of Amun, she conformed to the generally expected norms of being a male pharaoh during her reign. At the same time, she preserved her female identity, which became one of the critical issues in Egyptology.
As a ruler of a powerful state, Hatshepsut had specific duties and responsibilities, and she devoted much attention to them. Egyptologists view her as the most powerful and successful ruler of ancient Egypt, who controlled it, maintained its wealth, and valued religion. It means that her activity as a ruler was formally similar to that of other pharaohs. However, she also could “integrate experimentation and new perspectives throughout her reign because of her female identity.”
The desire to save and emphasize her unique nature can be noticed in artifacts found by archeologists and the ruler’s activity. The established masculine image of the pharaoh required a specific visual representation, such as wearing a beard as a symbol of power and connection to god. Discovered Hatshepsut’s statues have feminine clothes and shapes combined with the false metal beard. It shows the ruler’s attempt to respect the existing norms and confront them, but, at the same time, preserve her unique identity and remain a female ruler.
Concept of Gender in Ancient Egypt
One factor that might help explain Hatshepsut’s ability to become a pharaoh and hold power for an extended period is the unique concept of gender that existed in ancient Egypt. Analyzing the state’s ideas of kingship, religion, and mortuary traditions, it is possible to state that gender “did not comprise two discrete categories.” For instance, the creator god Amun was an “androgynous being who begat the rest of creation alone.” This means that he combined both male and female qualities, and it was impossible to separate them.
This understanding impacted the ancient Egyptians’ visions of gender and their visions of personhood. Thus, following their beliefs, some parts of every individual lived after death, while others did not. It means that whole identities could be added, integrated, and comprised of various parts. For this reason, the idea of a person combining numerous features of both male and female persons was not unaccepted by the people of ancient Egypt. It allowed Hatshepsut to legitimize her rule and combine masculine and feminine elements.
Binary Nature
Following the idea of the pharaoh’s masculinity and male nature, Hatshepsut made several necessary steps to strengthen her position and, at the same time, create a new vision of a ruler. Her early images depict her in masculine poses, with symbols typical for male kings, and in male dress. These were signs of respect for traditions and factors that emphasized her position as the King’s Daughter, King’s Wife, and, finally, a Pharaoh.
However, the empowerment of her position allowed Hatshepsut to break “the bond between masculinity and the male body” and establish a unique female masculinity peculiar to her rule. She presented herself emphasizing the stereotypical masculine traits; however, her feminine identity remained essential for the country and its development. This binary nature of Hatshepsut can be seen in how ancient Egypt evolved during this period and her unique approach to managing the big and powerful state.
Hatshepsut’s Achievements as A Female Pharaoh
One of the significant differences between Hatshepsut’s rule and that of her male predecessors was the focus on the inner aspects of the state instead of military conflicts. Correctly realizing the importance of robust economics, she focused on establishing strong trade relations and creating new trade routes. As against previous rulers who supported the reputation of powerful states through military campaigns, Hatshepsut cultivated new relations with neighboring states and regions, helping to build the wealth of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
The stable economy and income helped to support ancient Egypt during this period and empowered its position in the region. As a result, Hatshepsut’s reign is often viewed as one of the most peaceful and wealthy periods in the country’s history. The strong economic ties with neighbors also show that others accepted the pharaoh as the legitimate ruler.
The expedition to Punt is another important event that is associated with Hatshepsut’s rule and her power. Previously, pharaohs had their campaigns on these lands for several purposes. First, it emphasized their power and ambition as mighty leaders. Second, it helped acquire new goods and materials not found in Egypt. It means that successful expeditions to these lands made pharaohs more successful in the eyes of their people and underlined their power.
Hatshepsut’s expedition to the land of Punt was her essential achievement. Started in 1469 BC, it became a great success and a symbol of her great authority. The importance of the event is proven by discovered drawings presenting her with four large ships at the bottom, as she initiated the emphasis of trading activity.
However, while Thutmose I “focused primarily on the military aspects of Egypt,” Hatshepsut engaged in peaceful interaction with a local chief and acquired the desired result. She accumulated precious and symbolic materials that were not manufactured in Egypt. The expedition to Punt evidences the unique nature of Hatshepsut’s reign. Holding a position traditionally occupied by males, she employed different methods to attain similar purposes and succeeded.
Construction of Projects
Moreover, the wealth generated by successful campaigns helped Hatshepsut create numerous monuments, indicating her power and importance as a pharaoh. Following the dominant patterns, the spiritual element “was necessary for an individual to achieve the position of the pharaoh.” The culture and ordinary life of ancient Egypt revolved around religion.
The pharaoh’s central duty was “communicating between the Egyptians and the gods.” As an embodiment of god on Earth, rulers had to control religion and important rituals to please superpowers. For this reason, Hatshepsut could not disregard this aspect, which was traditionally viewed as one of the primary duties of the royal family. Moreover, due to the successful expeditions, she accumulated enough resources to start numerous projects vital for proving her ability to rule.
The obelisks in the Temple of Amun in Karnak became the first monuments associated with Hatshepsut’s rule. Following the example of her father, Thutmose I, she wanted to create giant monuments of red granite. These obelisks were critical in proving she was a righteous pharaoh regardless of gender. The symbolic connection with gods through giant red stones and sunlight beaming on them supported the idea of Hatshepsut’s divinity and belongingness to the royal family.
The construction of the Red Chapel in the Karnak Temple can be viewed as the symbol of Hatshepsut’s extremely high authority. It was initiated during the sixteenth year of her rule after the festival of her co-regency with Thutmose III. In such a way, the erection of this building can be viewed as an attempt to show who holds the real power in the state.
Moreover, the project implied the relocation of the existing wooden shrine that the previous pharaohs created. The new monument had blocks describing various themes, including Hatshepsut’s major life events. The end of the project became an outstanding achievement for the ruler and proved her unique position.
The replacement of the previous shrine had a symbolic meaning as Hatshepsut became powerful enough to impact the achievements and heritage of previous pharaohs. She escaped the past stereotypical representations of pharaohs as male rulers and created a new reality, evidenced by magnificent and well-constructed buildings. Moreover, Hatshepsut showed her commitment to the gods, which was critical for ancient Egyptian society and, on the contrary, their readiness to accept her as pharaoh. In such a way, her building projects can be viewed as a way to legitimize her power and make it socially acceptable.
Role of Women
In such a way, Hatshepsut’s reign is an essential issue in Egyptology, helping to understand Egyptian society’s structure and women’s role in it. Her ability to become the ruler while Thutmose III, a more legitimate pretender, was alive showed that it was not an extraordinary event for the state’s people. Moreover, it shows that women had access to numerous benefits and could perform various tasks, except for being mothers and wives to their husbands.
From this perspective, Hatshepsut’s enthronement can be considered logical after her husband’s death. She had to rule because her son was too young and could not do it. It evidences the comparative tolerance of the society peculiar to that period and its ability to accept women as rulers if they are powerful enough.
Successors
Hatshepsut’s death indicated the end of the period of female reign in ancient Egypt. Moreover, successors attempted to remove her from all records that might offer an insight into the period of her rule. Her statues, images, and other facts linked to her power were destroyed. Moreover, Amenhotep II attempted to usurp Hatshepsut’s achievements because of his lack of accomplishments and the need to justify his becoming a pharaoh. It shows that, regardless of being a woman, Hatshepsut was a more powerful and legitimate pharaoh who significantly contributed to the nation’s development. Her successors’ attempts to prohibit her name indicate their weakness compared to the female pharaoh who ruled for about 20 years.
Conclusion
Altogether, the rule of Hatshepsut is a critical issue in Egyptology. It introduces numerous questions about the position of women in ancient Egypt, their rights, and their ability to accept leading roles. She is known as one of the most successful rulers of her dynasty and the first influential female leader who promoted a significant improvement of various aspects of her state. Hatshepsut was accepted by the people as pharaoh and set out on her way to rule the country. The successors’ attempts to eliminate her name and usurp her achievements prove her exceptional power and contribution to supporting the wealth and power of ancient Egypt.
Bibliography
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Van De Mieroop, Marc. A History of Ancient Egypt. New York, NY: Wiley-Blackwell, 2021.